Air Traffic Control (ATC)

Know the basic structure, components and functions of the modern air traffic control system

1. Describe the different components and functions of the modern air traffic control system in use today.

Air Traffic Control (ATC)• During peak air travel times in the United States, there are about 5,000 airplanes in the sky every hour. This translates to approximately 50,000 aircraft operating in our skies each day.

• How do aircraft avoid each other? AIR TRAFFIC CONTROL (ATC)

Air Traffic Control (ATC)• Modern Air Traffic Control (ATC) is a complex system that monitors, controls and assists all aircraft to safely transit the skies from takeoff to landing.

• While there may be slight local differences, ATC is a worldwide system regardless if you are flying in the United States, Europe or Africa.

So let’s look at the components

Air Traffic Control (ATC)Airspace Divisions Zones

• The United States airspace is divided into 21 zones (centers), and each zone is divided into sectors. • The shape and size of zones is largely determined by the volume of air traffic within a given geographic area. For example, the air traffic control zone that covers New York City is significantly smaller, from a geographic perspective than that of the sector that covers Montana and Idaho.

Air Traffic Control (ATC)Airspace Divisions Sectors and Terminal Radar Approach CONtrol)TRACON

 • Within each zone are portions of airspace, about 50 miles in diameter, called TRACON (Terminal Radar Approach CONtrol) airspaces. • Within each TRACON airspace are a number of airports, each of which has its own airspace with a 5-mile (8-km) radius.

Air Traffic Control (ATC)• Air Traffic Control System Command Center

• Air Route Traffic Control Centers (ARTCC) One per zone managing all air traffic except for TRACON and local-airport airspace.

• Terminal Radar Approach Control (TRACON) Controls departing and approaching aircraft within its airspace.

• Air Traffic Control Tower (ATCT)Controls all takeoff, landing, and ground traffic from a specific airport

Air Traffic Control (ATC)Flight service station (FSS) Provides information (weather, route, terrain, flight plan) for pilots flying into and out of small airports and rural areas. It assists pilots in emergencies and coordinates search-and-rescue operations for missing or overdue aircraft.

Air Traffic Control (ATC)• So how does it all work together?• Let’s follow a flight from takeoff to landing

Ground: ATCTTakeoff: TRACON

En route: ARTCC

Landing: TRACONGround: ATCT

Air Traffic Control Worksheet

Los Angeles

Philadelphia

Air Traffic Control (ATC)

Know the basic structure, components and functions of the modern air traffic control system

1. Describe the different components and functions of the modern air traffic control system in use today.